Sir Keir Starmer was among Mitzvah Day early-birds, volunteering once again at South Hampstead Synagogue.

He joined children on a litter-pick outside the shul premises and helped collect and pack donated items for distribution to those in need.

Hailing Mitzvah Day as a “fantastic” interfaith initiative which brought communities together, Sir Keir said he was keen to support the shul’s activities, describing its rabbi, Shlomo Levin, as an "adviser and friend.

“It’s always good to come to this synagogue,” he told the JC. “I’ve been here before it was rebuilt. I’ve been since it’s been rebuilt. It’s a fantastic place and it’s in my constituency and I feel I’m part of this community.”

Reflecting on Labour’s efforts to mend fences with the Jewish community, he added: “I think we have made significant progress and I can feel that in the warmth of the relationships that I have.

“I’m not going to pretend that we’ve done everything that we need to do. [But] when Louise Ellman, who left the party because of antisemitism, feels safe and confident to come back, that’s an indication to me that we’ve made that progress.”

Sir Keir added that he expected to attend a number of Chanukah events. Candles would be lit in the Starmer household (his wife’s family is Jewish) “so we all look forward to it as a family”.